These regions comprise the four major ecological zones of Minnesota and correspond to the Ecological Classification System of Minnesota which is used extensively by the Minnesota DNR and other natural resource practitioners.

These regions are very similar to the North American Bird Conservation Initiative’s Bird Conservation Regions. More info on how these zones and regions overlap is contained in the individual Region plans.

The Blueprint for each region includes:

Overview of the region including avifauna, landscape features, and management issues and opportunities

List of Highest, High and Moderate Priority birds in the region

Assessment of monitoring efforts currently underway for the highest priority species and recommendations for future monitoring

Identification of:

Target Conservation Species in the region

Stewardship Species that should be primary targets in the region

priority habitats on which to focus conservation actions

habitat protection and restoration goals in the region

habitat management considerations for the highest priority species

Important Bird Areas to target conservation actions by Audubon and our partners